Award winning veteran American actress Agnes Moorehead died on this day (April 30), in 1974. Our 'Today's Tune' was selected to honor Moorehead. It relates to some of her work in various horror movies and her most famous television role, the witch Endora in the long running series Bewitched.
Agnes Robertson Moorehead (December 6, 1900 – April 30, 1974) was an American actress.[1]Although she began with theMercury Theatre, appeared in more than seventy films beginning withCitizen Kaneand on dozens of television shows during a career that spanned more than thirty years, Moorehead is most widely known to modern audiences for her role as thewitchEndora in theseriesBewitched.
While rarely playing leads in films, Moorehead's skill at character development and range earned her oneEmmy Awardand twoGolden Globeawards in addition to fourAcademy Awardand six Emmy Award nominations. Moorehead's transition to television won acclaim for drama and comedy. She could play many different types, but often portrayed haughty, arrogant characters...
Since I was thinking of you today Agnes, here is a witchy track, by a witchy band. The British goth metalers (Is that a real word?), Angel Witch bring us "White Witch" (1980).
Junior's March 23 through March 31, 2011 'Reading And Viewing List' includes title links, with article snippets, from items published at the end of March 2011.
Vocalist David Coverdale needs no introduction to most fans of classic hard rock. From his initial emergence back in the 70's as frontman of British heavy rock legends Deep Purple, through his seminal blues rock with Whitesnake later on in the decade, later enjoying mega platinum success with later versions of the band...
Ahead of next weekend's Malaysian Grand Prix, Lotus will whet the appetites of Formula One fans in the Asian country with a street demonstration in administrative capital Putrajaya. The showcase, which will be held on Saturday, has been organized in collaboration with the Sepang International Circuit and Team Lotus partner AirAsia...
...Of course, this leaves us no choice but to harass potential cast members whenever we have the opportunity. Case in point: During the "Arthur" junket over the weekend, I asked "Red" actress Helen Mirren what it will take to get her to do the sequel...
Legendary rocker Alice Cooper spoke to Aol's Noisecreep about "Welcome 2 My Nightmare", a sequel to his 1975 concept album "Welcome to My Nightmare" - his first "solo" release after the break-up of the original Alice Cooper band...
While his former rivals were charging over the demanding gravel stages of the Algarve on Vodafone Rally de Portugal last weekend, Marcus Gronholm was making a winning start to his career in the Global RallyCross Championship...
Gary Oldman told MTV in a recent interview that Christopher Nolan will bring the story back around to his first Batman movie in next year's trilogy-capper, "The Dark Knight Rises." Considering the level of security surrounding your typical Nolan movie, this was a lot of information...
The reunited King Kobra have recorded a new song called Monsters And Heroes as a tribute to Ronnie James Dio, the proceeds from which will be donated to Dio’s Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund...
...He opened the package and, sure enough, there I was. He said he couldn't give them to me because there was no bar code on the package.
I asked why I couldn't pick up my pictures. Well, he said, he wasn't sure that they were mine. So I had to go out to my car to get my wallet to get a photo ID. Which, by and large, he was holding in his hand...
On May 17th, via Eagle Rock Entertainment, late Irish blues rock guitar legend Rory Gallagher will see a previously unreleased double CD offering in stores entitled 'Notes From San Francisco'...
Fernando Alonso believes that today will herald the start of a new brand of Formula One racing, thanks to the arrival of Pirelli's deliberately marginal racing tyres, which have much higher wear rates than the Bridgestones used up until 2010...
At first glance, the opening race of the 2011 FIA Formula One World Championship appears to distil to a straight fight between Red Bull and Ferrari, just as in 2010. But there is plenty of spice ready to be added to what promises to be another facinating season...
...Titled Toy, this is a 14-tracker that sees the legend updating and revamping some of his early and more obscure songs. It was originally intended to be released in 2001, but it was shelved after a dispute with Virgin Records, his label at the time...
The FIA Formula One World Championship finally gets underway in Australia next weekend with all twelve teams eager to discover how their new cars stack up against the competition. There's new rules, new tyres and more, but one thing that remains reassuringly consistent is the warm welcome guaranteed for the paddock Melbourne's Albert Park...
Citroen Total World Rally Team head Olivier Quesnel is convinced that allowing drivers Sebastien Loeb and Sebastien Ogier to fight it out for victory on Vodafone Rally de Portugal will boost its chances of winning the manufacturers' crown for a fourth consecutive season...
Today is April 22, 2011, officially making it Earth Day. Earth Day was originally founded by US SenatorGaylord Nelson on April 22, 1970. It is all about promoting awareness, protecting the environment, and saving this beautiful blue planet of ours.
Bonnet, possessing one of the greatest rock voices of our time, replaced Ronnie James Dio as the lead singer of Rainbow a couple years later. He's also fronted the bands like The Marbles, Michael Schenker Group and Alcatrazz, when not working under his own name.
This 'Today's Tune' double feature is dedicated to actress Elisabeth Sladen, who passed away this morning. She died of cancer, at the age of 63. Sladen, born in Liverpool, England on February 1, 1948, is most well known for playing the role of investigative-reporter Sarah Jane Smith in the world's greatest science-fiction television show of all time and space, Doctor Who.
Right now, I'm so full of shock and sadness, I can't bring myself to type the words to tell you all about this wonderful woman. Like millions of other fans across this planet, she was my favorite of all the companions that have spent time with the Doctor, since the show first started in 1963. There has been at least one fan club, that was dedicated specifically to her.
Elisabeth Sladen as Sarah Jane Smith in Doctor Who (1975)
I must admit, I found her quite attractive. As an actress, she had a special quality and a real presence about her. She was intelligent and kind. Though I've met some of the actors from the classic Doctor Who series, as well as writers and William Hartnell's (original Doctor) granddaughter, I never met Elisabeth Sladen. Now, I never will.
Elisabeth's most famous character, Sarah Jane Smith, led me to immediately think of these two tracks from Hall And Oates, that became hit singles. First up, we have the beautiful "Sara Smile" (1976), followed by the sad lament of "She's Gone".
For this 'Today's Tune', we look back at 2010's 14th century historical horror film, 'Black Death'. Obviously, the movie involves the bubonic plague epidemic, but is there something else going on too? Matching up best with this one is "When Death Calls", from Black Sabbath's'Headless Cross', which was originally released in April of 1989.
"Shot Me Down" (1977), by Scottish rockers Nazareth, is the 'Today's Tune' for this April 14th. I picked this song because it connects with two events. One a tragic incident that happened on this day 146 years ago, the other actually a happy spectacle from just last night.
Happy Birthday to Al Green!American gospel, R & B (Rhythm & Blues) and soul singer, Green was born on April 13, 1946. He turns 65 years old today, and in 2005 Rolling Stone magazine named him number 65 in their list of the '100 Greatest Artists of All Time'.
Green's 1971 single (#1 Pop, #1 R & B) "Let's Stay Together", was included on his fourth album (#8 Pop, #1 R & B), which was also called 'Let's Stay Together' (1972). It remains one of his most popular songs, and is the one I always think of first, when I think of Al Green. That's why I chose it for this 'Today's Tune'.
"Stray Cat Strut" is the 'Today's Tune', this time. It's was the third single off of the Stray Cats' 1981 debut album, 'Stray Cats'. The song makes sense as the selection for today, for a couple very good reasons.
Cats, the domestic varieties anyway, are obviously a very popular animal to choose as a household pet. Today is the anniversary of the formation of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The ASPCA became the first animal welfare organization in the United States, when the it was founded by Henry Bergh on April 10, 1866 in New York, NY. Since then, the organization has looked out for health and well-being of cats, dogs, birds and many other types of animals.
Today also happens to be Brian Setzer's 52nd birthday. Setzer, born on April 10, 1959, was the lead singer and guitarist for the Stray Cats. He is also credited as the writer of "Stray Cat Strut".
Stray Cats - "Stray Cat Strut" (1981)
Stray Cats - "Stray Cat Strut" New Years Eve 1983 at NYC Savoy
NASA announced the selection of seven test pilots, who became known as the Mercury Seven, for duty as astronauts on April 9, 1959. They were chosen to take part in Project Mercury, which was the first human spaceflight program (1959 - 1963) of the United States.
Ultimately, the goal was to put a human in orbit around the Earth. After 20 unmanned launches and two manned suborbital trips, John Glenn, Jr. piloted the Mercury-Atlas 6 flight on February 20, 1962, achieving this goal.
The NASA project name of Mercury Seven lead me to choosing a track called "Seven Seas Of Rhye", written by Queen'sFreddie Mercury, as the 'Today's Tune' selection. There was an instrumental version on 'Queen' (1973), the first album by the regal band. However, it's the more complete version from 'Queen II' (1974) that made the cut.
The track deals with a subject matter that's on the minds of a huge number of people these days too, making it a very timely choice of indulgence right now, I should think.
First up is the original studio piece, followed by a live performance of the song for today.
Happy Birthday to Jonathan Firth! Jonathan, younger brother of much more well known Colin Firth (Pride And Prejudice, 'Love Actually', 'The King's Speech'), is also a fine English film and television actor. Since he has a strong resemblance to his older brother Colin, it might take a few minutes to realize that you are actually watching a quality performance by Jon. Not as well known in the US, most of his work can be found in British productions, and that's fine with me.
Keeping that mystery theme in mind, I've picked Dio's 1984 single "Mystery" for this 'Today's Tune'. It's probably my least favorite song by the group. If you want to see the studio video for this track, follow this link. It's so odd that it's hard to watch, and I couldn't bring myself to include it. A live performance is much more enjoyable, so that you can find below.
Title links, with article snippets, from items posted to the internet in mid March 2011 appear in the Junior's March 12 through March 22, 2011 'Reading And Viewing List'.
There are a lot of words that could be used to describe this game (and most of them aren't fit for polite company) - but the one that always seems to be repeated when these two teams meet is 'entertaining'. Despite all the blown leads, the shoddy goaltending at one end, the shoddy defense at the other, the gimmick ending, the missing stars on both sides...there's no denying that when the Caps and Flyers clash it is always a thrilling game...
...The charity was set up by Jackie Paice, wife of Deep Purple drummer Ian Paice. And he will be one of the performers at the Royal Albert Hall. Others include Ian Gillian, Don Airey, Roger Glover, Steve Morse alongside Jon Lord, Joe Bonamassa, Danny Bowes, Rick Wakeman. The evening will be hosted by actor Jeremy Irons...
...The new album, the band’s 19th studio, is to be titled Call To Arms. It features the line-up of Biff Byford (vocals, Paul Quinn and Doug Scarratt (guitar), Nibs Carter (bass) and Nigel Glockler (drums)...
...In the meantime you can download the song Hammer Of The Gods for free right here.
...A new group has proclaimed Fridays as theirs. In support of the U.S. troops serving overseas, this group wants everyone to wear the color red each and every Friday. Kind of like casual Fridays at banks and other financial places, but more like Team Jersey day...
...This is a summary of how the main contenders have prepared and what some of the leading drivers have had to say in the build-up to round two of the year...
Portugal is and always has been a haven for world rallying. The gravel roads out as far west as Europe goes are among the best on the planet. Just when you think you know where they’re going, there’s another crest and another unseen corner to challenge your perception. In short, Portugal is a driver’s favourite...
Throughout the ages men and women have struggled and innovated to provide the rest of humankind with ever more convenient and easy ways to do things. We have gone from smoke signals and semaphore to the telegraph, telephones, cellphones. From horse and cart to steam trains to subways. From walking around to the Chevrolet Kalos. And we constantly try to improve, to make a little more headway so that we can be better, faster, make more efficient use of our precious time...
Legendary Scottish hard rockers Nazareth are set to return with a brand new studio album 'Big Dogz', which will be hitting stores and online May 10, 2011 via Eagle Rock Entertainment through EarMusic...
Former Dio band members Rudy Sarzo (bass), Craig Goldy (guitar), Simon Wright (drums) and Scott Warren (keyboards) are teaming up to pay tribute to the late Ronnie James Dio...
...The Washington Capitals all but killed what remained of the New Jersey Devils’ playoff hopes tonight, and the weapons involved were the stick of Mike Knuble and the glove of goaltender Michal Neuvirth...
If you thought that 2010 was a classic year of F1, buckle up and get ready for the 2011 season in which four or even five teams seem set to go head-to-head as no fewer than five world champions go into battle, and the midfield fight promises to be harder-fought than ever...
The 2011 FIA Formula One World Championship finally gets underway in Australia next weekend, with all 12 teams eager to discover how their new cars stack up against the competition. There's new rules, new tyres and more, but one thing that remains reassuringly consistent is the warm welcome guaranteed for the paddock at Melbourne's Albert Park...
The last time the Caps lost a one-goal game was February 17 against the San Jose Sharks. The last time they lost a road game was the same night. And the last time they lost a game, period, came almost three weeks ago...
Very little is certain in Formula One racing, but one thing that's looking highly likely for the forthcoming season is that pit stops will become more important than ever. With Pirelli's tyres deliberately designed to be a lot less durable than their Bridgestone predecessors, we could see drivers make three or more dashes into the pit lane for new rubber during the course of a Grand Prix...
By the time the Capitals ended their morning meeting at Bell Centre they knew they would be without two key centers in their match-up with Montreal. Despite the fact that neither Nicklas Backstrom nor Jason Arnott were available, the Caps continued their march toward the top of the Eastern Conference with a 4-2 triumph over the Canadiens...
...This will contain four CDs from the period 1964-1974, a DVD, a seven inch vinyl single, a bootleg vinyl album featuring a show from 1971 and a 64-page hardback book...
After a hectic pre-season test schedule, Williams' Rubens Barrichello is feeling positive about the British team's 2011 chances. Feeling more at home in the FW33 than he did in its predecessor, Barrichello is targeting a top-ten grid slot and a points-scoring finish at the forthcoming Australian Grand Prix...
Not many drivers have won a world championship, and even fewer have successfully defended their title. Sebastian Vettel's bid to join that small but illustrious group starts next weekend in Australia. With the arrival of a new tyre manufacturer and moveable rear wings, Vettel believes it is impossible to draw any firm conclusions about the season ahead, but he is hopeful that the RB7 will be more than capable of matching its predecessor...
The defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks paid a rare visit to a sold out Verizon Center today in a nationally televised showdown between two powerhouse hockey clubs...
Dave Holland, who replaced Binks as the drummer for Judas Priest (1979 to 1989), was also born on the same day. I doubt he's having a happy birthday, though. Guilty or not, Holland is currently in prison, serving time for an alleged sex crime.
Anyway, back to the music. Once again, I've included a video of the original studio track and one of a live performance.
Judas Priest - "Beyond The Realms Of Death" (with Binks)
Judas Priest - "Beyond The Realms Of Death" Chicago 1981 (Holland)
Blues rock guitarist Gary Moore was born on April 4, 1952. Unfortunately, the former living legend died, most likely from a heart attack, while on holiday in Estepona, Spain on February 6, 2011. While he made a name for himself playing for Thin Lizzy and guest appearances on other artist's albums (various types of music), he also had a highly successful solo career.
The tune I picked for this 'Today's Tune', "Still Got The Blues (For You)" (1990 Single), is one I keep in my internet favorites list, both studio and live performances. The studio version is from the 1990 album titled 'Still Got The Blues' (Check out the album's personnel list!). The live version that I'm also including here, comes from Gary Moore & The Midnight Blues Band - Live At Montreux 1990, which came out on DVD in 2004. I really need to take the time to find better versions, as both are low resolution videos. However, they are still pretty awesome. If you are human, you will enjoy them.
Gary Moore is certainly missed by millions of fans. But, I gotta believe he's up in heaven jammin' away with his old buddy Phil Lynott, and perhaps even Rory Gallagher.
Gary Moore - "Still Got The Blues (For You)" Studio (1990)
Gary Moore - "Still Got The Blues (For You)" Live Gary Moore & The Midnight Blues Band - Live At Montreux 1990
Just gonna take a moment, before the day's completely gone, to say Happy Birthday to Mick Mars (born Bob Alan Deal). Mars, who turned 60 years old today, is lead guitarist and a founding member of the band Mötley Crüe.
I'm doing this one real fast, perhaps too fast, since it's so late. While there's still a little time left for a 'Today's Tune', here's the title track of the band's 1981 debut album 'Too Fast For Love'.
Canadian guitarist Kurt Winter was born on this day in 1946. He was only 51 years old when he died December 14, 1997, but he created a lot of great music during his life. Mostly, he's remembered for the time he spent with The Guess Who.
Winter and guitarist Greg Leskiw joined The Guess Who in May of 1970, after the departure of Randy Bachman. Kurt wrote a few of their songs on his own, and he co-wrote many of the group's best songs with band leader, pianist and singer Burton Cummings.
For our 'Today's Tune', I've chosen probably my favorite of those songs the pair wrote together. Here is the title track from the 1970 album 'Share The Land'. Drummer Garry Peterson and bass player Jim Kale were the other members of the lineup, on this first album together.
